Dragon Bay

The dream for Dragon Bay, the ultimate in residential island living in the Cayman Islands, began with an 11-month international sailing expedition by developer Michael Ryan. When searching for the perfect fusion of water and land for the residential resort community on Grand Cayman, Mike turned to the shores of Portofino, the Greek Isles, Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore for inspiration. There, among the changing tides of these distinguished global ports, Mike sought the ingredient that would transform Dragon Bay into a world-renowned residential water-based community.

Anchored by The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Dragon Bay encompasses 360-acres of Caribbean island land. Stretching across from the North Sound to Seven Mile Beach, Dragon Bay provides an oasis of leisure unparalleled in these tropical islands. And, inspired by the captivating surroundings of Cayman, Mike and his team imagined a place where everyone was connected back to the water.

Mike repeatedly took his team with him on expeditions so they could directly experience the influences of the project. One example led to the birth of The DeckHouses, when, seeking inspiration, the team responsible for bringing this tropical wonder to life embarked on a 12-country, 32-property, six-day tour, exploring the very best of resort living. It was then that the true potential of Grand Cayman’s uncompromising elements was discovered. For them, everything came back to the water, and uniting residents and visitors with the peace and serenity of this remarkable natural resource. “The most amazing thing about Cayman is the water, and I wanted to bring everyone into contact with it,” explains Mike. But inspiration didn’t start and stop with the sparkling seas flowing around Grand Cayman.

The team of experts responsible for creating this Caribbean refuge turned to the traditions of British Colonial explorers for further guidance. Following in the practice of the British, who traveled the tropical girdle of the globe building seaside communities in the Mediterranean, Indies, South East Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, the development team found extreme potential in evoking that same genuine feeling at Dragon Bay. The architectural and design elements seen throughout this immense development draw from those same colonial techniques used hundreds of years before, but updated to suit the modern travelers visiting Cayman today. It was important to the developers to stay true to the existing characteristics of British origin on Cayman rather than designing a layout that just wouldn’t fit. “For things to really work long-term, [the buildings] really need to seem like they belong in the place that they are in. You can’t force it,” explains Mike. What resulted is an extraordinary mix of high-end homes, residential buildings, and five-star resort facilities that complement the ambiance of Grand Cayman.

Currently, Dragon Bay is the only development in the Caribbean that stretches from sea to sea. The North Sound and Seven Mile Beach frame this world-class community, and everything that lies in between is a virtual playground of outstanding amenities, including a marina, beach club, private movie theater, Greg Norman’s Blue Tip golf course, Nick Bollettieri tennis courts, Michelin-rated restaurant by Chef Eric Ripert, Silver Rain La Prairie Spa, shops, galleries, and, of course, the award-winning Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Not to mention the countless real estate options including The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the DeckHouses, and Secret Harbour.

The DeckHouses, staggered amidst a maze of breathtaking Caribbean waterways, organically link residents to water in both shape and form. Whether it is the stone-lined canals weaving through this Venice-like neighborhood, the secluded private beach carved out on the property, or the lucid infinity pool, The DeckHouses provide a private island retreat built for people seeking uninterrupted solace. But unlike a typical private island experience, the layout at Dragon Bay allows DeckHouse occupants the chance to hop aboard their own private boat at their leisure and cruise over to The Ritz-Carlton for dinner, or to the North Sound for a boating expedition.

It was the attraction of living on your own private island that originally sparked the idea for The DeckHouses. Each of the 19 separate private “islands” was born from personal attention to detail and the desire to create individual sanctuaries fit for island life. Having relocated his family to Cayman, Mike was able to turn to them for research and ideas. “It’s a fantastic sounding board to have because you are constantly reminded of what really matters,” says Mike. And it was lessons learned from watching his own children that influenced many facets of The DeckHouses’ architectural layout. “They have two powder rooms that you can access from the outside without going into the house. That’s from having kids in wet bathing suits trampling around the house,” explains Mike. It is these thoughtful touches that make the Dragon Bay community a unique and glamorous place to live, work, or play.

Complementing the isolated hamlet that is The Deckhouses is Secret Harbour. Nestled along the community’s waterways in its own sheltered harbor, Secret Harbour is a vibrant waterfront living community, offering residents all-access to the resort’s superior amenities via land or sea. Ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom Residences, Harbour Lofts, Skyhouses, and Bridge Residences, the real estate in this exclusive community offers state-of-the-art comforts. The clubhouse, spa, Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau, a café touched by star Chef Eric Ripert, and other captivating activities are at your fingertips. Secret Harbour was conceived for people that appreciate interaction with their neighbors and do not desire the private island life afforded by The DeckHouses. After all, of the 55,000 residents on this wealthy, cosmopolitan island, there are more than 101 nationalities represented. Secret Harbour’s many charms allow residents and visitors the luxury of interacting with a spirited group of people.

From the beginning, the Dragon Bay team has been devoted to presenting Grand Cayman in its true form, not through the window of an airplane but from the water. Opening up the topography of Cayman by creating a knot of charming waterways, interspersed with fine homes and world-class service like nothing else in the Caribbean, Dragon Bay is an outstanding colony for those seeking the very best that life can offer. As Mike so charmingly says, “It’s an exceptional opportunity to be able to do something that I believe is unique in the world. It’s the kind of thing people dream about. We are doing it.”